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Showing posts with the label car insurance

Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers

Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers Because they present more of a risk, auto insurance rates are generally higher for teenage drivers. However, there are some ways you can both protect yourself financially and lower the cost of insuring your teen by doing the following:   Understand the Risk It is important to talk to your teen about the relationship between auto accidents and insurance costs. Teens often forget that the cost of owning a car includes auto insurance. Explain that a driving infraction or being in an accident can drive up their insurance costs.   Shop Around Insurance companies differ in how they price policies for young drivers, so spend some time researching prices to find the best fit for you and your teen.   Insure Your Teen on Your Own Policy It is generally less expensive for parents to add teenager to their insurance policy than for teens to purchase their own. By insuring your teenager’s car with your insurance company, you ...

Road Rage

Road Rage Increasingly crowded highways and traffic backups cause many drivers to lose control and become extremely aggressive. Aggressive driving is a real problem that can lead to serious accidents on the road.   Road rage can also cause problems for your claim process if you should happen to be involved in an auto accident. Road rage is a listed as an exemption in many auto insurance policies since any damage stemming from aggressive isn’t truly an accident but rather caused by risky behavior .    If you encounter aggressive drivers, do not challenge them, and stay as far away as possible. You may want to take down the license plate number and report their behavior to police so they won’t hurt themselves or someone else. If you happen to suffer from anger management problems while driving yourself, here are some tips to help you cool off. Try not to run late . When you're in a hurry, your patience is short and you are much more likely to become aggr...

Winter Driving

Winter Driving Safe Driving and Vehicle Maintenance Are Key 4 Ways Your Driving Habits Could Wreck Your Credit Score Winter is a time when safe driving and well-maintained vehicles take on even greater importance.  “Failure to keep in proper lane or running off the road” and “driving too fast for conditions” are the two of the most frequent driver behaviors, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In order to avoid potentially dangerous situations, the I.I.I. offers the following winter driving tips: Give yourself enough time to arrive at your destination. Trips can take longer during winter than other times of the year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Bring a cellphone so that those awaiting your arrival can get in touch with you, or you can notify them, if you are running late. But avoid the temptation of using the phone while driving, as it can be a dangerous distraction—pull over first. Drive...

Safety Tips for Teen Drivers

Safety Tips for Teen Drivers Ways to Save When Your Teen Starts Driving: We hit a milestone in my house this year. My oldest child turned 16 and, in theory, can get behind the wheel of a car and start driving solo. I'm not sure I'm ready for that and, fortunately, she's not either, so she still has her learner's permit. However, I've been searching high and low for ways to keep my auto insurance rates reasonable once she joins the ranks of independent drivers. Here are  tips  picked up along the way: The first years teenagers spend as drivers are very risky. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds and research shows that more than half of teens who die in crashes are passengers, most of whom are not wearing a seatbelt.   Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to the high crash rates among teens. Even the best teenage drivers do not have the judgment that comes from expe...

What should I do if I am having trouble settling my claim?

What should I do if I am having trouble settling my claim? Tips On How To Settle Insurance Claim: If you are not satisfied with how your claim is being handled, there are steps you can take. Let your agent or company representative know that you are unhappy. If the agant or representative is unable to solve your problem, get the name and phone number of the head of the insurer's claims department. Your insurance company may also have a consumer complaint department that can help. Be prepared to support your case. Send documents and a letter explaining why you are not satisfied and make sure you have the figures to back up your argument. Be certain to include your address, claim number, day and evening phone numbers and any other important identifying information. Review your auto insurance policy. Most companies offer either arbitration or appraisal services to help settle differences and disputes. Your insurance policy will explain these options. Contact your  st...

What are my rights when filing a claim?

What are my rights when filing a claim? Know Your Basic Rights To File A Claim For Your Insurance: As a policyholder, you have certain rights. Every state has laws protecting consumers. Your policy is a legal contract between you and your insurer. It defines your rights and obligations as well as the rights and obligations of the insurance company. If you have any questions regarding your rights under the policy, talk to your insurance agent or company representative. You may also contact your  state insurance department , state attorney general's office, or your state's consumer affairs department.

If I file a claim, will my premium go up?

If I file a claim, will my premium go up? The Insurance Premium Fact: You may be reluctant to file a claim because you fear that your premium will go up or your insurance will be canceled. Practices vary from company to company. In general, an insurer will increase your premium by specific percentages for each chargeable claim made against your policy above a specific dollar amount. A chargeable claim is one the insurer considers primarily your fault. The percentages and ceilings vary from company to company. These increases generally stay on your premium for three years following the claim. Your company may also decide not to renew your policy if your driving record gets markedly worse or you have several accidents. Different insurers have different rules about what constitutes an unacceptably bad driving record. But some accidents, such as those caused by drunk driving, will probably trigger a nonrenewal from virtually every insurance company. If you have an accident b...

Understanding Your Insurance Deductible

Understanding Your Insurance Deductible Understanding the role deductibles play when insuring a car or a home is an important part of getting the most out of your insurance policy.   A deductible is basically the amount “deducted” from an insured loss. Deductibles have been an essential part of the insurance contract for many years and represent a sharing of the risk between the insurance company and the policyholder. When repairing your home or replacing personal possessions, the amount of the deductible would come out of your own pocket.   A deductible can be either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the total amount of insurance on a policy. Generally speaking, the larger the deductible, the less a consumer pays in premiums for an insurance policy. Deductible amounts can be found on the declarations (or front) page of standard homeowners and auto insurance policies.   Here is how it works: if you have a $500 “dollar deductible,” that $500 wo...